Phew… EAA…What a week!

I look forward to EAA every year. I get to see a great group of people usually only once a year and get to meet some amazing new people in the process. We get calls for lodging for Air Venture up two years in advance to the day of to before the week is through already for next year. Our process is somewhat different than most for EAA. The people that stay with us for instance this year, already get dibs for next year. I call each and everyone in January to confirm. If plans change for them at that time, I pull the next person on our waiting list. However, if someone that stayed with us cancels anytime after January, and they want to come back lets say in 2015, they would have to go on our waiting list. Therefore, they lose their spot. It gives our regulars priority, but also gives someone new a chance to come.

For instance, this year we had a new couple from Austria visit us for the week. Dr. Helmut Huber and his lovely wife Petra. They have never been to Oshkosh before and loved it! They were on the bus by 9:30 AM and were never home before 12:00, I don’t’ think. They are already thinking about their trip next year and we can’t wait to see them again.

We also had a guest that had to depart early, so I opened up their room online and it was immediately filled by a wonderful couple from Arkansas. They have always wanted to come and had never had the chance. At the last minute they said, “lets try getting into Oshkosh for AirVenture” which is how they found us. We are overjoyed to make new friends and enthusiasts of EAA.

Paul is a Kitfox vendor who stays with us every year. We have become wonderful friends and plan on visiting him hopefully next Spring or Fall in Idaho where he flies people into dude ranches. He has totally convinced us that this is what we need to do, so our next years family vacation is being planned as we speak. Paul introduced us to the owners of the company of Kitfox who are equally amazing! So much in fact that they took us up in their plane. I have to admit, I was a little leery at first since I had never been up in such a small aircraft. I really had to convince our daughter Chase that she should really experience this adventure as well. Needless to say, we both loved it! A video was also shot of us landing on a grass air strip near Neenah. Thanks Tom for doing that!

John, owner of Kitfox ready to take me up

Chase getting ready to take off

Kitfox plane

We were also blessed to be able to be on the EAA grounds this year to experience the sound of Chicago and Gary Sinise and the Lieutenant Dan Band along with the Premier of the movie Planes, witness the night air show and hot air balloons. Whew… I am exhausted, but flying high!

Hot air balloons getting ready

Beautiful sunset on the air field

Night Air show

Night air show- dusk

Following are a few of our other guests that frequent us with their planes. I love showing them off. They are beautiful!